Retained Foreign Objects: Louisville, Kentucky, Attorneys

To most of us, it seems bizarre that a doctor could actually forget something that had been put inside a patient's body during the course of surgery. One would think the doctor would make certain that the operating area is free of foreign objects. And even though we know they do so according to procedural policy, our inclination is to believe that they do it more out of instinct or concern for the patient's welfare than out of a need to follow their own rules.

Contact Sitlinger, McGlincy, Theiler & Karem for a free consultation.

More often than not, that's probably the case. But when surgical sponges, needles or other instruments are left inside of a patient, the doctor can put the patient at grave risk for a serious post-surgical infection or other injury.

The Insidious Injuries Caused by Retained Foreign Objects

Retained foreign objects can cause of injuries, but there are a few common features they all can share:

• Infection: Even though all instruments are sterilized, they can prevent the surgical incisions from healing properly and cause an internal infection that can spread rapidly throughout the patient's entire body.
• Extra surgery: Every time a foreign object is left inside of a patient's body, it may require additional surgical procedures — to remove the object and to repair the damage.
• Extended hospitalization: It follows, then, that the patient will either have to spend extra time in the hospital or be rehospitalized because of the extra time it takes to recover and be monitored.

Infections are particularly dangerous, because they can ultimately result in wrongful death. But other catastrophic injuries can also result, including amputations. Surgical instruments and needles can also migrate throughout the body, causing pain, discomfort and potentially serious damage. Because of a retained foreign object, one of our clients had to have seven surgeries, which affected her fertility as a result.

If you have endured extra surgeries, infections or extended hospitalization because of a retained foreign object, the lawyers at Sitlinger, McGlincy, Theiler & Karem have the experience and resources necessary to represent you. For a free initial consultation, call 502-410-3847 or contact us online.